As well as attending that lecture, I also went to a talk by Mary Beard in Oxford this week, though as far as I am aware that’s not available online. You will not be surprised to learn that she’s as entertaining in person as she is on the telly, giving an intriguing and illuminating lecture on “Images of Roman Emperors from the Ancient World to the Modern: Understandings and Misunderstandings”. This relates to an ongoing research project which looks set to uncover some fascinating stuff. Because, for example, if you think Henry VIII is saying something about kingship by using Suetonius’ twelve Caesars in his palace decor, what does it mean when you realise he’s actually drawing on a very different piece of ancient writing? What’s the underlying message then? I really do hope this project makes it onto our screens somehow.

2 comments

I don’t think you will do this, but please make sure not to go down the discredited pack dominance theory route. It was based on work on a put-together wolf pack which has since been found to be plain wrog for natural wolf packs, besides dogs are not wolves. It never did apply to dog-human interactions as dogs know perfectly well that we are not the same species, but far too many people insist we must dominate our dogs or they will take over the world! Utter rubbish.

It’s not something I’ve gone into in depth as yet but I am aware that eg the ‘alpha male’ theory is now considered outdated/superceded. You may rest assured that as and when it’s relevant to a story I’m telling, I will do my due diligence and research. Which will quite possibly include contacting you now ☺